Bidspirit auction | Self Portrait (After Frida) –

Self Portrait (After Frida) – Original 2019 Acrylic Painting by Chinwe Russell, British-Nigerian - Self Portrait (After Frida) is an original 2019 acrylic on canvas by Chinwe Russell, the British-Nigerian contemporary artist internationally recognised for her bold storytelling style and her celebrated touring collections including “20 Historical Women Who Changed the World.” Created during her artist residency at the historic Doncaster Corn Exchange, this powerful and expressive work captures Russell’s free-spirited, instinctive approach to painting at a formative moment in her practice.Although not intended as a literal likeness, this piece becomes a symbolic, emotional self-portrait—one that honours the artistic freedom embodied by Frida Kahlo, whose unapologetic creativity inspired the work’s title. Russell channels this spirit of self-determination through her vibrant colour palette and exaggerated, intentionally naïve style.The figure dominates the canvas with commanding presence: a dark, richly textured body crowned by an explosion of swirling flowers in blues, pinks, reds, and yellows. These flowers echo Frida’s iconic floral headdresses but are reimagined through Russell’s own cultural lens and experimental brushwork. The bold red lips, stylised facial lines, and decorative earrings enhance the figure’s expressive power, while the simplified forms and confident outlines emphasise the artist’s intuitive, emotion-driven technique.At the heart of this portrait lies a celebration of autonomy, womanhood, and the right to create without boundaries. Russell’s artistic philosophy is unmistakable here: the joy is in the making, the instinct, the liberation of letting colour, memory, and mood guide the hand. The painting radiates confidence and self-assertion—even playfulness—while remaining deeply personal.Chinwe Russell has exhibited widely across the UK and internationally, including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and her works are held in private and public collections around the world. This painting is signed by the artist and comes directly from her studio.A striking, expressive, and culturally layered self-portrait—perfect for collectors of contemporary African art, narrative portraiture, and modern works paying homage to influential artistic legacies.Keywords: Chinwe Russell painting, Frida Kahlo inspired art, African contemporary art, expressive portrait, naïve contemporary style, women in art, original acrylic painting, collectible artwork, Doncaster Corn Exchange residency, British-Nigerian artist, LiveAuctioneers listing, 2019 original painting. Condition: Good as in the images Dimensions: 40 x 50 cm